Go-cart.



No. 839,624. I PATENTBD DEC. 25, 1906. J. F. MoNEILL.

GO-GART.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1905.

J OHN FRANCIS MGNEILL, OF MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

GO-CART.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 25, 1906.

Application filed November 25, 1905. Serial No. 289,105.

To all whom/it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN FRANCIS Mc- NEILL, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at the corner of Spencer and Bourke streets, Melbourne, in the State of Victoria, Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Go- Carts and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention provides improvements with a view to obviate many of the defects in the existing constructions of go-carts and the like babycarriages.

In explanation it is mentioned that go-carts as now constructed have rear supporting-legs, the length and normal position of which prevent the elevation of the gutter-wheels sufficiently to surmount curbstones, steps, or other obstacles. \Vith some constructions, in which these legs are fixtures, it is often necessary to turn the go-cart completely round and drag it over the obstacle, while in others, in which these legs are pivotally connected to a part of the go-cart, devices more or less troublesome and inconvenient to operate are provided for raising or swinging the legs out of position when it is required to raise the gutter-wheels to surmount obstacles. Another disadvantage in most constructions of go carts is that when left unattended to and resting on ground having any slight incline they are apt to move of their own accord, an occurrence often attended with serious results. By this invention these disadvantages are removed and an improved gocart or the like is provided having its supporting-legs so positioned that when in its wheeling or normal position the go-cart may be tilted to any ordinary angle as, for example, when passing over high curbstones or stepswithout the ends of these legs striking the ground. hen, however, it is required to rest the go-cart, simple and effective means are provided by which the go-cart body is lowered relatively to the main wheels, bringing the supporting-legs into a position that they now contact with the ground and support the go-cart so securely that all possibility of its moving of its own accord is removed. Then by merely elevating the pushing-handles the go-cart body is automatically brought back to its raised or normal position, when the cart may be wheeled either forwardly or rearwardly, as may be desired.

\Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists of the features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation, with parts omitted, of a go-cart in its wheeling or normal position, showing the supporting-legs clear of the ground. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same in its fixed position, the go-cart body being lowered and the supporting-legs in contact with the ground. Fig. 3 is an elevation in vertical transverse section on line 1 1, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the operating rod or lever in side elevation. Figs. 5 and 6 show on an enlarged scale modified forms of the operating rod or lever. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a bearing and stop for the axlebar, and Fig. 8 shows in side elevation the operating rod or lever when used in combination with a swinging axle-bar.

In the views the letter A designates the seat or support for the gocart body, B the main wheels, and B the gutter-wheels. The main-wheel axle-bar, which in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is shown cranked in order that the go-cart body may be, when desired, conveniently lowered relatively to the main wheels, is marked 0.

C represents any suitable framing for the go cart, and C the rear supporting legs. These legs are fixed, and, as shown in the drawings, they may form part of the go-cart frame.

D is a short operating rod or lever fulcrumed, as by a pivot d, to a supportingleg or to i any other suitable part. This operating rod or lever D is providedat its rear end with a treadle portion, as the foot-latch D, and has axle-connecting means, as indicated by D Although it may be made in one piece, as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, said operating-lever in its preferred form consists of two pieces pivotally connectedbutt-hinged or otherwise jointed as at (Z.

(Z is an overlapping piece or stop firmly keeping in position the two parts of operating-lever D when the go-cart is in its wheeling or normal position.

The bearings for the main-wheel axle-"bar are marked E and are shown provided with projecting pieces or stops e to prevent the too-far-forward motion of the axle-bar C.

E represents anysuitable spring supports for the go-cart, and the pushing-handles are marked F.

Referring to Fig. 8, the operating rod or lever D is illustrated in combination with a swinging axle-bar, although forneatness in appearance and effectiveness the cranked axle-bar is preferred. An ordinary axle-bar C is secured by suitable means to a revoluble arm and when in operation swings as indicated by the dotted line X, while in resuming its normal position the lug or stop e prevents it swinging too far forward. It will thus be seen that when the go-cart is in its raised or wheeling position (illustrated in Fig. 1) the axle-bar is kept in position by the action of the operating-lever D and the stops e, and the go-cart may be tilted to raise the gutter-wheels onto a curbstone or over an obstacle without inconvenience, as the ends of the supporting-legs project but slightly beyond the main-wheel perviphery.

. hen it is required to relieve the pushinghandles of their support or to rest the go-cart on the ground, by depressing the foot-latch D the lever D exerts a pull on the axle-bar C and releases the same. Then by a downward movement of the pushing-handles F the go-art body is lowered relatively to the main wheels until the supporting-legs con tact with the ground, (illustrated in Fig. 2,) all chance of the go-cart moving of its own accord being thereby removed.

It will be readily understood that the supporting-legs C may beso positioned that when the go-cart. is in its normal position their lower ends do not project at all beyond the mainwheel periphery, and yet by depressing the foot-latch D said legs are lowered sufficiently to firmly support the gocart. I find it advisable, however, to so position the legs thatin case the pushing-han-' dles are relieved of their support without the lever D being operated the go-cart will not be upset should the weight be thrown from the front to the rear of the gocar t. As will be understood, however, sundry variations and modifications may be made while still retaining the essential features of g the invention.

ing raised into the When the gocart is in its fixed .position, by merely elevating the pushing-handles the cart'is immediately brought to its normal or wheeling position. and may be wheeled either forwardly or rearwai dly. The axle-bar and the operating-lever are caused by gravity to resume-their normal positions, the go-cart body and the supportingdegs beposition as seen in Fig. 1 .of the drawings. i

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is

1. A go-cart comprising a crank-axle, main wheels journaled upon the crankaxle, a gutter-wheel, a frame secured to the axle of the gutter-wheel and tdfithe crank-axle, said frame being providedgfiwithfajsupporting-leg, and means by which thei icrank-axle may be operated to lower or raise the supporting-leg.

2. A go-cart comprising a crank-axle, main wheels journaled upon the crank-axle, a gutter-wheel, a frame secured to the axle I of the guttter-wheel and to the crank-axle,

said frame being provided with asupportingleg, and means carried by thesupportingleg and connected with the crankaxle and by which said axle may be operated to lower or raise the supporting-leg.

3. A go-cart comprising a crank-axle, main wheels journaled upon the crank-axle, a gutterwheel, a frame secured to the axle of the gutter-wheel and to the crank-axle, said frame being provided with asupportingleg, and a pivotally-mounted lever having engagement with the crank-axle and by means of which the axle may be operated to lower or raise the supporting-leg.

4. A go-cart comprising a cranlcaxle, main wheels journaled upon the crank-axle, a gutter-wheel, aframe secured to the axle of the gutterwheel and to the crankaxle, said frame being provided with a suppor tingleg, and a pivotallymounted lever having one end connected to the crank-axle and its other end provided with a edal portion, said lever providing means y which the crank-axle may be operated to lower or raise the supporting-leg.

5. A go-cart comprising a crank-axle, main wheels, journaled upon the crank-axle, a gutter-wheel, a frame secured to the axle of the gutter-wheel and to the crank-axle, said frame being provided with a supportingleg, and a pivotally-mounted lever having connection with the crank-axle, said lever comprising two sections pivotally connected together and pro iding means by which the crank-axle may be operated to lower or raise the supporting-leg.

6. A o-cart comprising main wheels, a gutter-wheel, a frame provided with a supporting-leg, said frame being connected to the axle of the gutterwheel, means by which the frame is connected to the axle of the main wheels, said means being provided witha stop, and means by which the axle may be shifted rearwardly to lower the supporting-leg and shifted forwardly into engagement with said stop to raise the supporting-leg.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit IIOSSGS.

JOHN FRANCIS MoNEILL. Witnesses:

A. J. OALLINAN. F. OALLINAN. 

